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The United States Department of Agriculture stated this past weekend that SNAP funds under one of the country’s largest social assistance programs will not be distributed during the coming month amid the persistent government funding lapse.

Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week

The funding lapse was in its 25th day as officials revealed the news, in response to demands from hundreds of Congressional Democrats asking the department to utilize emergency reserves to cover November's food assistance.

“The reality is, funds are depleted,” the USDA stated. “Now, no payments will be distributed” starting next month.

National Consequences

Tens of millions of people count on these food benefits, according to federal data. Some regions, including one southwestern state, reliance on this assistance is as high as one-fifth of the population.

A memo obtained by Reuters indicated that federal authorities chose not to tap emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance.

Legislative Deadlock

Congressional leaders continue to disagree about the way to finance and restart the federal government.

Comments by the leader of a budget research center indicated that the administration had opportunities to act sooner to avoid interruption in payments.

“Officials were able and expected to taken steps weeks ago to be prepared to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Conversely, they might decide against it to secure political leverage” as Republicans seek to influence Democratic senators to vote for legislation that would reopen the federal government.

Emergency Measures

Governors in two affected states declared states of emergency this week to allocate funds to address food insecurity preparing for nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.